154 PASSERES: Perching Birds 



ALAUDID^E (Family Horned Larks): Ground-dwellers of 

 rather small size, distinguished by the ear-tufts that suggest 

 horns, also by the black crescent on breast and white-edged tail. 



CALIFORNIA HORNED LARK 



(474e. Otocoris alpestris actia) 6f in. 



A ground-living bird; gray-brown above; yellow- white about 

 face and throat; soiled white below. Characteristic marks, 

 common to males of all the Horned Larks, are: Black crown-bar 

 and " horns"; black stripe from bill to eye and curving down- 

 ward on cheek; a black crescent on chest; and black tail, with 

 outer web of outer feather white. Horns often inconspicuous. 



Female: Smaller; crown-patch brown; black markings less 

 sharply denned. 



Young: Mostly brown, dotted with buffy except on breast 

 and belly. 



DESERT HORNED LARK 



(474c. Otocoris alpestris leucolaema) 6| in. 

 Gray above with only a trace of brown; white areas im- 

 maculate. White and black sharply defined. 



ISLAND HORNED LARK 



(474m. Otocoris alpestris insularis) 6f in. 

 Browner and much darker above than the California; fore- 

 breast brown-streaked. 



MOHAVE HORNED LARK 



(474 . Otocoris alpestris ammophila) 6f in. 

 Lighter above than the California; darker than the Desert 

 bird, which it resembles in whiteness of under parts and head- 

 markings. 



YUMA HORNED LARK 



(474 . Otocoris alpestris leucansiptila. Not recognized by 



the A.O.U. Check List) 6-| in. 



Lightest above of all the Horned Larks. Most nearly like 

 the Desert bird, but still lighter. 



